Wound clip

May 21, 1940. j. c. dawson, jr 2,201,610

WOUND CLIP

Filed May 20, 1938

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Patented May 21, 1940

2,201,610

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,201,610 WOUND CUP James C. Dawson, Jr., Kirkwood, Mo. Application May 20, 1938, Serial No. 208,966 6 Claims. (Cl. 128—337)

The present invention relates generally to surgical devices, and more particularly to an improved and novel wound clip.

There are in use today a number of wound jp clips, one of. the most popular types of which includes a pair of points struck out from the interior of the body of the clip. It is obvious that the die for effecting such struck out points must be of relatively considerable width in order to 10· provide a struck out portion having the semblance of a point. Further, such points are often bent in the punching operation. Neither this type of wound clip nor any of the other clips on the market have points which are suffiicently sharp and 1» small to function in the most highly desirable manner. A wound clip having blunt wide points causes undue pain in its initial clamping process and leaves noticeable scars when removed.

It is an object, therefore, of the present in20 vention to provide a wound clip which has sharp, short, straight, thin points adapted to substantially painlessly enter the skin, to be easily withdrawn, and to leave substantially no scars.

Another object is to provide a wound clip 25 formed from a blank having a point disposed at each end thereof.

Another object is to provide a device for supporting wound clips prior to use in a manner to prevent damage to the points thereof.

Another object is to provide a wound clip which is sturdy in construction, readily manufacturable, and adapted to efficiently and effectively close a wound.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent 35 from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a wound clip comprising a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wound clip shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3—3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the wound clip shown in Fig. 1 was formed;

⁴⁶ Fig. 5 is a perspective of a carrier adapted to support wound clips;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through a carrier showing a wound clip in position thereon;

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section through a modified wound clip;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the wound clip shown in Fig. 7 was formed;

Fig. 9 is a side view of another modified wound 55 clip;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the wound clip shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the blank from which the wound clip shown in Fig. 9 was formed;

Fig. 12 is a side view of still another modified wound clip;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the wound clip shown in Fig. 12;

. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the blank from which the wound clip shown in Fig. 12 was formed; and, 10;

Fig. 15 is a section through a wound showing the relationship of the present wound clip to the skin.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, there is shown in Figs. 1—3 a 15· wound clip ί 5 constructed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blank 16 from which the wound clip 15 is formed being shown in Fig. 4.

The blank ί 6 includes an elongated rectangular 20 main body 17 bounded by sides 18 and ends 19. Extending from each of the ends 19 is a sharp, short, narrow point 20. Slots or apertures 2i are struck out from the body 17. The points 20 and the slots 21 are preferably disposed along the 25 central longitudinal center line of the body 17.

In the formation of the wound clip 15, the central portion of the body (7 is bowed to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. The end portions of the body 17 are looped back so that the points 20 30. pass through the slots 21 and the ends 19 abut the upper surface of the body 17.

A carrier 23 (Fig. 5) is provided for the wound clips 15. The carrier 23 is of trough cross-section (Fig. 6), including a bottom 24 and sides 25 35 angularly disposed relative to the bottom 24. A holder tab 26 is formed integral with one end of the carrier 23.

The wound clips 15 slide onto the carrier 23 in the manner shown in Fig. 6, the points 20 contacting the outer surfaces of the sides 25. It is thus apparent that the points 20 are protected from damage.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modified wound clip 27, the blank 28 from which it is formed being shown 45 in Fig. 8. The blank 28 includes an elongated rectangular body 29 defined by sides 30 and ends 3!. Sharp, narrow, short points 32 are formed integrally with the body 29 and extend outwardly from the ends 31. 50

The wound clip 27 (Fig. 7) is formed by bowing the central portion of the body 29 and by looping the end portions of the body 29 in a manner to dispose the points 32 at substantially right angles and beneath the body 29. 55

2,201,610

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown another modified wound clip 34, the blank 35 of which is shown in Fig. 11. The blank 35 includes a main body 36 defined by sides 37 and ends 33. Each of the 5 sides 37 is notched at 39 and 40. Each of the ends 38 has two sharp, short, narrow points 41 extending therefrom at the ends thereof. The points 41 in effect form continuations of the sides 37.

In the formation of the wound clip 34, the central portion of the body 33 is bowed. The end portions of the body 33 are looped back until the ends 38 contact the main body 35 and the points 41 extend through the notches 39 and 40 15 at substantially right angles to each other.

In Figs. 12 afid 13 there is shown a still further modified wound clip 43, blank 44 of which is shown in Fig. 14. The blank 44 includes an elongated rectangular body 45 defined by sides 20 46 and ends 47. Two spaced points 48 are struck from each side 46.

In the formation of the wound clip 43 the central portion of the body 45 is bowed, the end portions of the body 45 are looped back, and the 25 points 48 are disposed at substantially right angles to the body 45 and to each other.

In Fig. 15 a wound clip ί 5 is shown in relationship to the skin 55 and flesh 56 around a wound 57. The points 20 assume opposed positions 30 through pinching together the halves of the body 17, but do not touch. The main burden of holding the skin 55 pulled up as shown is carried by the end portions of the body i 7, which compress the skin 55 and, therefore, the retaining points 35 20 need not be large.

The points 20 of the wound clip 15 and the points 32 of the wound clip 27 are particularly sharp, straight, short and narrow, inasmuch as they are formed by striking away the metal on 40 one side and then on the other. A pin point sharpness is achieved due to the flow of metal during these operations. In other words, it is not contemplated that a V-shaped die be employed, although, of course, such could be em45 Ployed with a degree of success. A narrow V-die is not particularly desirable, inasmuch as it would become enlarged and distorted with use. The points 41 of the wound clip 34 are similarly formed, although a wedge-shaped die could be 50 employed. The points are short in order to prevent carrying of infection deep below the skin.

Short points are thus desirable and can be successfully used, for the looped portions of the body performs a compression task in holding the skin, and the points prevent slipping thereof.

The wound clips disclosed are preferably con- 5 structed of stainless steel, a metal much more desirable than German silver or alloys of which the present wound clips are constructed.

It is apparent that there has been provided a wound clip which fulfills all of the objects and 10 advantages sought therefor. It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by 15 the claims which follow.